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Apply for a New Driving Licence or a New Category Based on Exchanging Licences

This service enables you to obtain a new driving licence based on exchanging licences from other countries to Dubai, according to the list of authorised countries, as well as adding a new category to driving licences issued in Dubai based on exchanging licences from authorised countries (list in the terms and conditions).

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Eligibility
Residents are eligible to apply for this service.
Required documents

Apply for a New Driving Licence Based on Exchanging Licences

For customers with a residence visa issued in Dubai

  1. Valid Emirates ID
  2. Electronic eye test
  3. Original Driving Licence issued in the exception country

For customers with a residence visa issued in another emirate (the company has a branch in Dubai and the customer works there)

  1. Valid Emirates ID
  2. Electronic eye test
  3. Trade licence copy of both branches (Dubai and other Emirate branches)
  4. Original Driving Licence issued in the exception country
  5. Letter from the company certifying that the customer works in Dubai branch

For exchanging Singapore driving licence

  1. Knowledge Test result

Diplomats

  1. Diplomatic passport + copy
  2. Original driving licence
  3. Electronic eye test
  4. Letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs valid for at least 6 months from the date of submission
  5. Diplomatic card for embassies, consulates and international organisations instead of the Emirates ID.

Customers having a licence from exception countries but their nationality isn't from the listed countries

  1. Knowledge test result
  2. Road test result.

Apply for Adding a New Category Based on Exchanging Licences

  1. Original Driving Licence issued in the exception country
  2. Valid Emirates ID
  3. Electronic eye test
  4. Letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for diplomats
  5. Legalised translation of the licence (check the table in terms and conditions).
Service fees

Apply for a New Driving Licence Based on Exchanging Licences

  • 200 AED for opening a file
  • 600 AED for issuing a licence
  • 50 AED for the handbook manual
  • The electronic eye test at the Eye Test Centres: 140 AED minimum and 180 AED maximum
  • +20 AED Knowledge and Innovation fees.

For Singaporean licence holders

  • 200 AED for opening a training file
  • 100 AED for issuing a learning application
  • 50 AED for the handbook manual
  • 400 AED for instant knowledge test
  • 300 AED for issuing the driving licence
  • +20 AED Knowledge and Innovation Fees.

Apply for Adding a New Category Based on Exchanging Licences

  • 200 AED
  • The electronic eye test at the Eye Test Centres: 140 AED minimum and 180 AED maximum
  • +20 AED Knowledge and Innovation fees.
Process time
  • 5 minutes.
Website
Customer Happiness Centres
Vehicle Registration and Inspection Centres
Driving Institutes


Institute

Area/Branch

Contact Number

Belhasa Driving Centre

Al Wasel Branch

04-3243535

Belhasa Driving Centre

Jebel Ali

04-8817171

Belhasa Driving Centre

Nad Al Hammar

04-2895908

Belhasa Driving Centre

Al Qouz 4

04-5091200

Belhasa Driving Centre

Al Qouz

04-3412636

Dubai Driving Centre

Jumeirah

04-3455855

Dubai Driving Centre

Al Qouz Industrial 3

04-3236000

Dubai Driving Centre

Al Qusais 1

04-2381115

Dubai Driving Centre

Al Khail

04-4048000

Dubai International Driving Centre (Drive Dubai)

Dubai Investment Park 2

04-8855118

Emirates Driving Institute

Al Qusais 1

04-2631100

Emirates Driving Institute

Al Qouz 3

04-2631100


Process

Apply for a New Driving Licence Based on Exchanging Licences

Through Website

  1. The customer logs in to RTA website through his Emirates ID, passport, or UAE Pass.
  2. The customer enters the required information and uploads the required documents based on the customer’s category.
  3. The customer enters the details of the existing licence.
  4. The customer selects the licence category and attaches a copy of the driving licence.
  5. The customer submits the application and receives a reference number to follow up.
  6. The customer undergoes the eye test at one of the Eye Test Centers accredited by RTA.
  7. The customer brings his original driving licence to the Customer Happiness Centre to be verified or to be withdrawn based on the nationality.
  8. The driving licence is printed and submitted to the customer.
  9. The customer with an Apple device can receive the electronic licence from the Apple Wallet through the RTA Dubai App.

Through Customer Happiness Centres

  1. The customer submits the required documents at the service centre.
  2. The driving licence data is verified.
  3. A traffic file is opened if the customer is applying for the first time.
  4. The customer settles the required fees at the centre.
  5. The customer receives an electronic copy of the receipt to the e-mail registered in the system, and a text message to the registered phone number with a link to download a copy of the transaction receipt.
  6. The driving licence is printed and submitted to the customer.
  7. The customer with an Apple device can receive the electronic licence from the Apple Wallet through the RTA Dubai App.

Through Driving Institutes (for Singaporeans)

  1. The customer submits the required documents at the institute.
  2. The driving licence data is verified.
  3. A traffic file is opened if the customer is applying for the first time.
  4. The customer books an appointment for the Knowledge test.
  5. The customer settles the required fees at the centre.
  6. The customer receives an electronic copy of the receipt to the e-mail registered in the system, and a text message to the registered phone number with a link to download a copy of the transaction receipt.
  7. After passing the Knowledge test, the driving licence is printed and submitted to the customer.
  8. The customer with an Apple device can receive the electronic licence from the Apple Wallet through the RTA Dubai App.

Apply for Adding a New Category Based on Exchanging Licences

Through Website

  1. The customer logs in to RTA website through his Emirates ID, passport, UAE Pass, or traffic file number.
  2. The customer enters the required information and uploads the required documents based on the customer’s category.
  3. The customer enters the details of the existing licence.
  4. The customer selects the licence category and attaches a copy of the driving licence.
  5. The customer submits the application and receives a reference number to follow up.
  6. The customer undergoes the eye test at one of the Eye Test Centers accredited by RTA.
  7. The customer brings his original driving licence to the Customer Happiness Centre to be verified or to be withdrawn based on the nationality.
  8. The driving licence is printed and submitted to the customer.
  9. The customer with an Apple device can receive the electronic licence from the Apple Wallet through the RTA Dubai App.

Through Service Centres

  1. The customer submits the required documents at the centre.
  2. The customer requests to add the required category to the driving licence.
  3. The customer settles the required fees.
  4. The customer receives an electronic copy of the receipt to the e-mail registered in the system, and a text message to the registered phone number with a link to download a copy of the transaction receipt.
  5. The customer receives the licence with the new categories.

Through Driving Institutes (for Singaporeans)

  1. The customer submits the required documents at the institute.
  2. The driving licence data is verified.
  3. A traffic file is opened if the customer is applying for the first time.
  4. The customer books an appointment for the Knowledge test.
  5. The customer settles the required fees at the centre.
  6. The customer receives an electronic copy of the receipt to the e-mail registered in the system, and a text message to the registered phone number with a link to download a copy of the transaction receipt.
  7. After passing the Knowledge test, the licence is printed and submitted to the customer.
Average waiting time
  • Website: Instantly.
  • Service centres: 5 minutes.
Validity

Apply for a New Driving Licence Based on Exchanging Licences

  • 1 year for customers below the age of 21
  • 2 years for customers 21 years and above.

Apply for Adding a New Category Based on Exchanging Licences

  • According to the remaining validity period of the previous permit.
What you will get

New UAE driving licence or a driving licence with the new added category.

Terms and conditions

General rules

  • The driving licence to be exchanged must be valid.
  • Customer Happiness Centers where the eye test is available: Customer Happiness Centre - Umm Ramool, Customer Happiness Centre - Al Manarah, Customer Happiness Centre - Al Twar, Customer Happiness Centre - Deira, Customer Happiness Centre - Al Barsha, Customer Happiness Centre - Al Kifaf.
  • The eye test is available in all Driving Institutes.
  • In case the driving licence to be exchanged doesn't include security signs, the customer must provide a certificate verifying the validity of the data from the consulate or embassy of the country which issued the licence.
  • The driving licence issued from the below countries cannot be replaced:
    • Puerto Rico (USA)
    • North Mariana (USA)
    • Guam island (USA)
    • Liechtenstein (Switzerland)
    • Monaco (France)
    • Jersey island (Britain)
    • Andorra (Spain)

Apply for a New Driving Licence Based on Exchanging Licences

  • Diplomats must visit the Customer Happiness Centers to apply for the service in order to fulfill the requirements of their related exceptions.
  • Driving licences cannot be replaced for holders of dual passports if they were residents of an unauthorised country and it shows on one of their passports.
  • Driving licences issued from GCC for GCC citizens must be valid upon their replacement. Original licences are withdrawn from their holders.
  • GCC passport holders, who have a valid driver's licence from the same country or from one of the exception countries, can exchange the driving licence in Dubai regardless of the Emirates ID place of issuance.
  • To exchange a Singapore driving licence, the customer must take a Knowledge Test in one of the driving institutes mentioned in the 'ways to apply' list.

Apply for Adding a New Category Based on Exchanging Licences

  • Customers with a residence visa issued in other emirates can add a category to their driving licence only if they live, study, or invest in Dubai.
  • The customer must be present in person.
  • If the visa was not issued in Dubai, the company must have a branch in Dubai, and the customer must work in Dubai branch.
  • The customer must pass the eye test according to the requested category.

Exception countries

GCC Countries

Licence origin

Nationality

Licence requires translation (yes/no)

The foreign licence must be withdrawn (yes/no)

Replaceable categories

Saudi Arabia

All exception countries

No

Yes, from all GCC nationalities only

All categories

Kuwait

All exception countries

No

Yes, from all GCC nationalities only

All categories

Bahrain

All exception countries

No

Yes, from all GCC nationalities only

All categories

Oman

All exception countries

No

Yes, from all GCC nationalities only

All categories

Qatar

All exception countries

No

Yes, from all GCC nationalities only

All categories

European countries

Licence origin

Nationality

Licence requires translation (yes/no)

The foreign licence must be withdrawn (yes/no)

Replaceable categories

Lithuania

Nationals only

Yes/legalised

Yes

Light vehicle and motorcycle

Portugal

Nationals only

Yes/legalised

No

Light vehicle and motorcycle

Hungary

Nationals only

Yes/legalised

Yes

Light vehicle and motorcycle

Bulgaria

Nationals only

Yes/legalised

Yes

Light vehicle and motorcycle

Latvia

Nationals only

Yes/legalised

Yes

Light vehicle and motorcycle

Serbia

Nationals only

Yes/legalised

Yes

Light vehicle and motorcycle

Luxembourg

Nationals only

Yes/legalised

Yes

Light vehicle only

Iceland

Nationals only

Yes/legalised

Yes

Light vehicle and motorcycle

Estonia

Nationals only

Yes/legalised

Yes

Light vehicle and motorcycle

Cyprus

Nationals only

Yes/legalised

Yes

Light vehicle and motorcycle

Slovakia

Nationals only

Yes/legalised

Yes

Light vehicle only

Slovenia

Nationals only

Yes/legalised

Yes

Light vehicle only

Malta

Nationals only

Yes/legalised

Yes

Light vehicle only

Albania

Nationals only

No

Yes

Light vehicle and motorcycle

Romania

All countries

No

No

All categories

Germany

All countries

No

No

All categories

Italy

All countries

No

No

All categories

Switzerland

All countries

No

No

All categories

Poland

All countries

No

No

All categories

Finland

All countries

No

No

All categories

Spain

All countries

No

No

All categories

Netherlands

All countries

No

No

All categories

Belarus

Nationals only

No

No

Light vehicle only

Greece

Nationals only

Yes / Embassy

Yes

Light vehicle only

Sweden

All countries

No

No

All categories

Belgium

All countries

No

No

All categories

Ireland

Nationals only

No

No

All categories

Turkey

All countries

No

No

All categories

Denmark

All countries

No

No

All categories

Austria

All countries

No

No

All categories

France

All countries

No

No

All categories

Britain

All countries

No

No

All categories

Norway

All countries

No

No

All categories

The Republic of Montenegro

Nationals only

Yes/legalised

No

Light vehicle only

Ukraine

Nationals only

Yes/legalised

Yes

Light vehicle and motorcycle

Northern American countries

Licence origin

Nationality

Licence requires translation (yes/no)

The foreign licence must be withdrawn (yes/no)

Replaceable categories

United States of America

All countries

No

No

All categories

Canada

Nationals only

No

No

Restricted driving licences with categories G1 and G2 cannot be exchanged

East Asian countries/Oceania

Licence origin

Nationality

Licence requires translation (yes/no)

The foreign licence must be withdrawn (yes/no)

Replaceable categories

Japan

All countries

Yes/legalised

No

All categories

South Korea

Nationals only

Yes/legalised

No

All categories

Israel

Nationals only

Yes/legalised

No

Light vehicle and motorcycle

Azerbaijan

Nationals only

Yes/legalised

No

Light vehicle and motorcycle

Uzbekistan

Nationals only

No

No

Light vehicle

Hong Kong

All countries

Yes/legalised

No

All categories

People's Republic of China

Nationals only

Yes/legalised

No

Light vehicle

Australia

Nationals only

No

No

All categories

New Zealand

Nationals only

No

No

Restricted driving licences can't be exchanged

Singapore

Nationals only

No

No

Light vehicle and motorcycle after passing the knowledge test (signs test)

African countries

Licence origin

Nationality

Licence requires translation (yes/no)

The foreign licence must be withdrawn (yes/no)

Replaceable categories

South Africa

All countries

No

No

All categories


FAQs
  • Question 1: Can the customer exchange the driving licence issued in one of the exception countries in Dubai, if he has a residence visa from another emirate and a tenancy agreement in Dubai?

Answer 1: No. However, the customer can exchange his driving licence if his residence visa is from another emirate, provided that his company has a branch in Dubai and he works there.

  • Question 2: If the customer is from GCC countries and has a GCC driving licence, does he need to exchange it or he can use it to drive in Dubai?

Answer 2: A GCC national is allowed to drive with his own driving licence as long as he is on a visit trip but if he is working and living in the UAE, then he must exchange the driving licence.

  • Question 3: If the customer is on a visit visa with a GCC driving licence, but his nationality is not from GCC countries nor from the exception countries, can he drive in Dubai or does he need an international licence? What are the vehicles that he can drive using his GCC licence?

Answer 3: The customer can drive light vehicles and motorcycles if he has a driving licence from the exception or GCC countries only if he is on a visit visa.

  • Question 4: If the customer is a USA national with an investment visa, and a US driving licence, and he often comes in and out of the UAE, does he have to exchange his driving licence in Dubai or can he use his US licence in Dubai?

Answer 4: No, the customer is not allowed to drive with the US driving licence.

  • Question 5: If the customer has a mission visa, service visa or multiple visa, can he drive in Dubai using a driving licence issued in a country on the list of exception countries or GCC countries?

Answer 5: Yes, he can drive light vehicle or motorcycle as long as he is on a short term visa.

  • Question 6: What is the procedure if the customer has 2 passports and he wants to exchange his driving licence but the visa is stamped on the passport that is not from the exception countries?

Answer 6: The customer cannot replace it, and he should refer to the Driving Institutes to open a training file.

  • Question 7: If the customer has a UK driving licence and he is on a visit visa, can he drive a vehicle registered under a KSA plate number in the UAE?

Answer 7: The customer cannot drive even if he is holding a UK driving licence and a UK passport. He can only drive it while crossing the borders from KSA to the UAE.

  • Question 8: If the customer had a driving licence from Dubai and he exchanged it for a GCC licence, then came back to Dubai on a residence visa, how can he get the Dubai licence back?

Answer 8: For any nationality, if the original driving licence was issued in Dubai, the customer can have it back by presenting his valid Emirates ID.

  • Question 9: Can the customer exchange a licence from New Mexico, USA?

Answer 9: Yes since it's an American state.

  • Question 10: Can the customer exchange a licence from Puerto Rico?

Answer 10: No.

  • Question 11: Can the customer exchange G1 and G2 Canadian licences?

Answer 11: No.

  • Question 12: Can the customer exchange the driving licence issued from the exempted countries if he holds a residence from other emirates with personal sponsorship?

Answer 12: Yes, the licence can be exchanged from the emirate where the residence was issued.

  • Question 13: Are heavy truck and heavy equipment driving licences exchangeable?

Answer 13: Heavy truck and heavy equipment driving licences are exchangeable if the customer was from one of the countries that can exchange all categories. Please refer to the table featured in the terms and conditions.

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